Spartanburg in Spartanburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Grave of William Walker / Magnolia Cemetery

Photographed By Brian Scott, August 2, 2008

1. Grave of William Walker / Magnolia Cemetery Marker - Front

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Grave of William Walker William "Singin' Billy" Walker (1809-1875) was the author of Southern Harmony, a collection of religious music employing shaped musical notes to aid those who could not read standard musical notation. He later published the more elaborate Christian Harmony and taught "singing schools" throughout the middle, southern and western states. He is buried in Magnolia Cemetery.

Magnolia Cemetery In 1838, Jesse Cleveland deeded 2 1/2 acres of this land, including the village cemetery, to the town of Spartanburg for a graveyard. It was enlarged in 1868 by the purchase of 1 1/8 acres from Robert E. Cleveland. The earliest legible inscription is found on the marker to Robert Walker, who died in 1810. Many of Spartanburg's early civil, educational, and political leaders are buried here.

Erected 1976 by Spartanburg Garden Club Council. (Marker Number 42-7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location.

Grave of William Walker / Magnolia Cemetery Marker - Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, August 2, 2008

2. Grave of William Walker / Magnolia Cemetery Marker - Reverse

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34° 57.302′ N, 81° 56.264′ W. Marker is in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in Spartanburg County. Marker is at the intersection of Howard Street and Magnolia Street, on the right when traveling west on Howard Street. Take a visit on a Saturday morning and stop by a farmer's market within walking distance, just south on Magnolia. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spartanburg SC 29303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wofford College (approx. ¼ mile away); Central Methodist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Evins-Bivings House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Spartanburg Methodist College (approx. 0.4 miles away); Daniel Morgan Monument (approx. half a mile away); Arthur Prysock / Ira Tucker (approx. half a mile away); Spartanburg Town Clock (approx. half a mile away); 156 West Main Street (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spartanburg.

Also see . . .
1. Southern Harmony. The Southern Harmony is a shape note hymn and tune book compiled by William Walker. (Submitted on September 17, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

2. William Walker. William Walker (May 6, 1809 – September 24, 1875) was a Baptist song leader, shape note "singing master", and compiler of three shape note tunebooks. (Submitted on September 17, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

Additional commentary.

Magnolia Cemetery Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, August 2, 2008

3. Magnolia Cemetery Entrance

Left Column: Restoration
Magnolia Cemetery
Bicentennial Project
of the
Spartanburg Garden Club Council
July 4, 1976

Right Column: Gates and Archway
donated by
Leadership Spartanburg
Class of 1998

Cit of Spartanburg
and
South Carolina Department of Transportation
Urban Youth Corps
2000 Beautification Project

1. Annual 'Singin’ Billy’ Walker Shape-Note Singing
Each March, a festival is held on the campus of Wofford College to honor the work and legacy of 'Singin' Billy' Walker. Shapenote singers from the Southeast attend for the day-long event. The event is free and open to the public. No experience is necessary to participate. The event ends with a prayer service at Walker's grave site.

— Submitted September 17, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.

Magnolia Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, August 2, 2008

4. Magnolia Cemetery

Grave of William Walker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, August 2, 2008

5. Grave of William Walker

Photographed By Brian Scott, August 2, 2008

6. Grave of William Walker

Top Marker: In Memory of
Wm. Walker, A.S.H.
Died September 24th 1875,
in the 64th year of his
age. He was a devoted
Husband & kind Father,
a consistent Baptist 47
years. Taught music 45 yrs.
The author of 4 Books of
sacred music. He rests from
his labors. He died in
the triumphs of faith.
------
Sing praises unto the
Lord

Bottom Marker: To the Memory of
William Walker, A.S.H.
Singin' Billy
Pioneer in Southern Christian Harmony
1809-1875

This marker placed by the South Carolina Branch
of the National Federation of Music Clubs
Plot restored by the Woman's Music Club
of Spartanburg, S.C.
March 16, 1939

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,326 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 2, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.